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Himalayan Whitebeam

Sorbus vestita

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
10 metres tall
Habitats:
Towns, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of white flowers. Each flower measures a maximum of 1cm in diameter. 20 to 25 stamens. The flowers are pollinated by insects.
Fruit:
Yellowish-green berries covered in brown freckles (lenticels). Each berry measures anything up to 2cm wide.
Leaves:
The simple, ovate leaves are dark green and sharp-toothed. They are stalked (up to 3cm in length). Leaf bases are roundish and there are between 12 and 15 veins per leaf.
Other Names:
Chinese Mountain Ash, Downy Serviceberry.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Other Information

Summary

Sorbus vestita is a species of tree in the rose family. It is native to China, and is often cultivated for its ornamental qualities. The tree typically grows to around 20-30 feet tall and has leaves that are lobed and toothed. The tree produces small white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of red or orange berries in the fall. The tree is hardy and adaptable, and can be grown in a variety of soil types and conditions. It is also tolerant of pollution, making it a good option for planting in urban areas. It is also known as "Downy Serviceberry" or "Chinese Mountain Ash" due to its similar look to Sorbus aucuparia.

Blog

The Himalayan Whitebeam, also known as Sorbus vestita, is a species of tree native to the Himalayas. It is a deciduous tree that grows to a height of up to 20 meters and is known for its distinctive white-colored bark.

The tree produces clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by small edible berries that are a favorite food of birds and wildlife. The leaves are oval-shaped and have a glossy green appearance. In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant orange and red, providing a stunning display of autumn color.

The Himalayan Whitebeam is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, making it an ideal tree for planting in gardens and parks. It is also tolerant of both high altitudes and harsh climates, making it an ideal choice for landscaping in the Himalayan region.

In addition to its ornamental value, the Himalayan Whitebeam is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including stomach problems, fever, and skin disorders. The bark, leaves, and fruit of the tree are used in various remedies, and its medicinal properties are believed to be due to its high concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Despite its many uses and benefits, the Himalayan Whitebeam is relatively unknown and underutilized outside of its native range. It is a valuable tree with a unique appearance and a rich cultural history, and it is worth considering for those looking for a unique and versatile addition to their landscape.

The Himalayan Whitebeam is a beautiful and versatile tree that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. With its distinctive appearance and its various uses, it is an excellent choice for gardens, parks, and landscapes, both in the Himalayan region and beyond.

The Himalayan Whitebeam is a slow-growing tree, but it is long-lived and can live for hundreds of years in optimal conditions. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, but it is also able to tolerate partial shade.

One of the unique features of the Himalayan Whitebeam is its bark, which is a striking white color that contrasts beautifully with the green of its leaves. The bark is also smooth to the touch and has a slightly peeling appearance, giving the tree a unique texture and visual interest.

In the wild, the Himalayan Whitebeam can be found in mixed forests, along streambanks, and in alpine meadows. It is also commonly found in cultivation, where it is appreciated for its ornamental value and its ability to provide food and shelter for wildlife.

The fruit of the Himalayan Whitebeam is edible, although it is not commonly consumed by humans. The berries are small, red or orange in color, and have a slightly sour taste. They are more often eaten by birds and other wildlife, which helps to distribute the seeds of the tree and maintain its presence in the landscape.

The Himalayan Whitebeam is a beautiful and valuable tree that is well worth considering for those looking to add some unique interest to their landscape. Whether planted in a garden, park, or along a streambank, it will provide beauty, habitat, and food for wildlife for generations to come.

In addition to its ornamental and ecological benefits, the Himalayan Whitebeam also has cultural significance in the regions where it is native. In the Hindu religion, for example, the tree is considered sacred and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those who plant it.

The wood of the Himalayan Whitebeam is also valuable, and has been used for centuries for a variety of purposes, including building construction, furniture making, and carving. The wood is strong and durable, and has a beautiful grain pattern that makes it prized by woodworkers.

Despite its many benefits, the Himalayan Whitebeam is facing threats to its survival in the wild. Like many other species, it is vulnerable to habitat loss due to deforestation and other forms of land-use change. In addition, it is also threatened by over-exploitation of its wood, as well as by disease and pests.

To help protect this valuable species, it is important to promote its cultivation in managed landscapes, and to educate people about the importance of preserving its natural habitats. By planting Himalayan Whitebeams in our gardens and parks, and by supporting conservation efforts in the regions where it is native, we can help to ensure its survival for future generations to enjoy.

In conclusion, the Himalayan Whitebeam is a tree with a rich cultural and ecological history that is well worth preserving. By planting it in our own landscapes, and by supporting conservation efforts, we can help to ensure that this valuable species remains a part of our world for generations to come.